Aquatic exercise and rehabilitation device

ABSTRACT

An aquatic exercise and rehabilitation device includes a cycle assembly mounted in a vessel containing water. The cycle assembly includes a seat and a pivotally mounted handlebar on each side of the seat. A pair of pedals is rotationally mounted with each pedal connected to a respective handlebars by a linkage for transmitting the motion of the handlebars and pedals to each other. The motor drive assembly is connected to the pedals for causing rotation to the pedals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An aquatic exercise has been used in particular with unilaterally orbilaterally diminished mobility or range of motion of the upper or lowerextremities as well as by amputee as well as by other musculoskelataland neurologically challenged individuals. A person, for example, issubstantially lighter when under water and thus able to performexercises under water that could not be otherwise performed. Studies onthe benefits of aquatic exercise indicate that cardiac volume increasesby nearly one-third with emersion to the neck. It has also beenestablished that water exercise could be aerobically efficient. Waterhelps patients with diseased hearts and those with joint disease as wellas patients with hypertension. Aquatic exercise programs have also beenbeneficial to restore fitness in obese patients. Because of theprotective effects against heavy joint loading with such individuals aprogram may start in water and eventually move to land as the tolerancebuilds thus achieving effective conditioning and weight loss.

One of the difficulties with aquatic exercise particularly for patientshaving unilaterally or bilaterally diminished mobility or range ofmotion is in assuring that the arms and/or legs will move in the desiredexercise. My U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,316,532 and 5,487,713 disclose variationsin an aquatic exercise and rehabilitation device which includes havinginterconnected pivoted handle bars and rotatable pedals on an exercisecycle which is lowered into a water containing vessel. With such devicesarm movement and foot movement are achieved by rotating the pedalsand/or pivoting the handlebars of the device back and forth under powerfrom the user. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,826 also discloses variationswhich include different types of exercise devices in addition to cycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide an aquatic exercise andrehabilitation device which is motorized to assist the user in arm andleg movements.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a device which isof simplified construction having minimal moving parts and which permitsthe maintenance of the device while the main components are out of thewater.

In accordance with this invention an aquatic exercise and rehabilitationdevice of the type disclosed in my above noted U.S. patents and inco-pending application Ser. No. 08/888,860, filed Jul. 7, 1997 ismodified to incorporate a motor for providing the drive to rotate thepedals which in turn are linked to the handlebars so that there is jointpivotal movement of the handlebars. Thus, the device does not dependupon input from the user to provide the moving force.

In a preferred practice of the invention the motor is a hydraulicreversible motor having a neutral position and using vegetable oil asits fluid. In one embodiment the motor itself could be mounted withinthe vessel directly to the exercise cycle. The hoses from the motor leadto an external pump. In an alternative device the motor is mountedoutside of the vessel operatively connected to a drive shaft within thevessel for rotating the pedals.

In a preferred practice of the invention the handlebars of the deviceare adjustable in length. The seat for the exercise cycle preferablyincludes a swivel mount. The device might also include various restraintmembers such as straps and gloves and a vest for assuring that theuser's arms and legs are firmly mounted to the pedals and handlebars andthe user is securely in the seat thereby assuring the proper exercisebenefits.

THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an aquatic exercise andrehabilitation device in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmental top plan view showing portions of the exercisecycle used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental side elevational view showing portions of theexercise cycle of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of an alternative form of device inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a modified handlebar structurewhich could be used with either of the devices of this invention; and

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the handlebar structure shown inFIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is based upon an aquatic exercise andrehabilitation device of the type disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos.5,316,532, 5,487,713, and 5,647,826 and in my U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/888,860, filed Jul. 7, 1997. All of the details of thesepatents and application are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Ingeneral, such a device could include a lift assembly which wouldselectively raise and lower an exercise cycle into and out of atreatment vessel containing water. The advantages of such an arrangementinclude the ability to have the user positioned on the exercise cyclewhen the cycle is out of water so that assistance is readily available.Additionally, maintenance is facilitated by having the various portionsof the exercise cycle accessible out of the treatment vessel.

FIG. 1 shows a device 10 in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention. As shown therein device 10 includes a vessel 12 which wouldcontain water 14 or any other suitable liquid. A lift mechanism 16 isoperatively connected to an exercise cycle 18 for selectively moving theexercise cycle into and out of the treatment vessel 12 in the mannerdescribed in my patents and application.

The exercise cycle 18 generally includes a frame or support 20 on whicha seat 22 is mounted. A pair of pedals 24 is provided on the frameremote from seat 22. Each pedal 24 is mounted in a slot in bar 26 asbest shown in FIGS. 2-3. Thus, the amount of extension or positioning ofpedals 24 from seat 22 can be controlled by adjusting the position ofeach pedal 24 in the slot of bar 26.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-3 each slotted bar 26 is mounted to a coupling28 which in turn is rotationally mounted to shaft 30. Thus, the rotationof shaft 30 causes coupling 28 and slotted bars 26 to rotate therebyrotating pedals 24. A link 32 is connected to each coupling 28 with theopposite end of each link 32 connected at an intermediate point 34 to ahandle bar 36 pivotally mounted in a slot 38. The handlebars 36 arelocated at opposite sides of frame 20 as shown in FIG. 1 with eachhandlebar 36 on a different side of seat 22. Each handlebar 36terminates at its free upper end in a handle 40.

This manner of interconnection of the pedals 24 and handlebars 36results in joint rotational movement of the pedals 24 and reciprocalpivotal movement of the handlebars 36 in the manner described in mypatents and application except that with the present invention rotationof pedals 24 may be achieved by rotating the shaft 30,30 through thepower of a motor rather than relying upon manual power from the user.

Each shaft 30,30 is driven by a worm gear speed reducer 42 connected bycoupling 44 to hydraulic motor 46. Motor 46 is mounted to frame 20 byfasteners extending through a slot 48. Thus, device 10 includesadjustability in the distance between the seat 22 and the handlebars36,36 and pedals 24,24 in a transverse direction by means of the slots38,48 and adjustability in a horizontal/vertical direction between thepedals 24,24 and the seat by means of the slot in bars 26,26.

Hydraulic motor 46 is provided with a pair of hoses 50 leading to a pump52. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the pump 52 to be adjacent to themotor 46. In actual practice of the invention, however, the pump 52would be located externally of vessel 12, such as shown in FIG. 1, andportions of hoses 50,50 could be of a spiral nature to permit extensionand contraction of the hose length in accordance with the raising andlowering of lift mechanism 54. As described in my patents andapplication the lift mechanism or structure 16 is also a rotating orlateral movement mechanism in that the cycle assembly would be raised orlifted directly above the vessel and then moved completely away from thevessel so that the user could mount the cycle while out of the vessel.The cycle assembly would then be moved back above the vessel (as shownin FIG. 1) and then lowered into the vessel to its operative position(as shown in FIG. 4). Because the user is positioned on the cycle whenthe cycle is out of the vessel, any necessary adjustments could be madewhile the cycle is out of the vessel. Similarly, because the motor 46 inFIG. 1 remains operatively connected to the cycle assembly during thevarious movements of the cycle assembly, the cycle assembly could beoperated by the motor at different locations with respect to the vesselincluding out of the vessel.

The various positioning of the components of cycle 18 can beconveniently adjusted by selectively loosening and tightening thevarious knobs 56 for the pedals 24 and knobs 58 for the links 32. Knobs(not illustrated) would also be provided at slot 48.

Further adjustability may be achieved by utilizing a swivel mount 60 forsecuring seat 22 to frame 20. Thus, the position of the user could beadjusted by rotation about the vertical axis of swivel mount 60.

FIG. 4 illustrates a variation of the device 10 wherein the motor 46 islocated externally of vessel 12. As shown therein motor shaft 62 extendsthrough a water proof sealed bearing 64 in the wall of vessel 12. Shaft62 drives a gear 66 which in turn engages a gear 68 at the end of adrive shaft 70. Instead of gears 66,68 friction drive wheels may beused. Drive shaft 70 in turn is connected to worm gear speed reducer 42to operate the pedals and handlebars in the same manner as in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3. As is apparent from FIG. 4, when lift mechanism16 is actuated to raise the cycle assembly, the gear 68 at the end ofdrive shaft 70 is moved away from and out of engagement with the gear 66at the end of motor shaft 62. This arrangement thus provides driveconnecting structure selectively operatively connecting the motor shaft62 to the drive shaft 70 when the cycle assembly is lowered into thevessel to an operative position as shown in FIG. 4 and provides foroperatively disconnecting the drive shaft from the motor shaft when thecycle assembly is raised above the operative position shown in FIG. 4.

It is to be understood that any suitable power means or motor may beused to drive the pedals and thus cause simultaneous pivotal movement ofthe handlebars. In the preferred practice of the invention the driveassembly utilizes a motor which is preferably a hydraulic motor thatcould be speed adjusted in its RPM's such as by valving or by electriccurrent. Preferably, motor 46 is of variable speed. In the preferredpractice of the invention the motor is associated with a speed reducerand preferably a worm gear speed reducer. The hydraulic fluid used withthe motor drive assembly is preferably vegetable oil which would be safeparticularly where the user might have cuts or other exposed sores.

The motor is preferably reversible and has a neutral position. In theneutral position the motor could be disengaged so that a manual poweroption is available as in my patents for patients with the ability toprovide manual power.

The invention may be practiced utilizing various other structures toprovide adjustability for the user and to assure that the user achieveseffective exercise by having the user's feet and arms moved in responseto rotation of the pedals and reciprocal pivoting of the handlebars.

FIGS. 5-6 show a variation of the handlebars 36 which enables theeffective length and orientation of the handlebars to be adjusted. Asshown therein the base of each handlebar 36 includes a shaft 72 which ispivotally mounted to frame 20. Shaft 72 is secured to an inner member 74which is telescoped into an outer tubular member 76. Inner member 74could be hollow but is preferably solid. Link 32 is secured to innermember 74 at pivot pin 34. The telescopic positioning of inner member 74and outer member 76 may be controlled in any suitable manner. FIGS. 5-6illustrate the provision of adjustment knob 78 which extends through ahole in outer member 76 for engagement against inner member 74. Thus,knob 78 would be rotated to a loose adjustment position permitting freevertical movement and rotational movement of outer member 76 and innermember 74. When the desired vertical and rotational position isachieved, knob 78 is rotated to its closed locking position. If desired,knob 78 could be actuated by a spring mechanism to urge knob 78 axiallyto its closed position rather than by a rotational movement. A furtheralternative would be to provide recesses or holes in inner member 74which would be penetrated by knob 78. Such arrangement would provide amore positive lock between the inner and outer member 74,76, but wouldlimit the degree of possible positions that could be achieved.

FIGS. 5-6 also illustrate adjustability in the angular orientation ofhandle 40. As shown therein handle 40 includes a tongue extension 80disposed between a pair of flanges 82 at the upper end of outer member76. An adjustment knob 84 extends through aligned holes in flanges 82and tongue 80. Thus, the angular positioning of handle 40 may beachieved by moving knob 84 to its loose unlocked position therebypermitting free rotation of handle 40. When the desired position isachieved, knob 84 is actuated to its locked position. Such actuation maybe by means of a spring urging handle 84 to its locked condition or bymeans of threaded engagement of handle 84 with a threaded opening in theremote flange 82 or by any other suitable locking structure.

The invention may also be practiced by incorporating any suitable numberof magnets 86 at any suitable locations on vessel 12. Such magnets wouldbe desired in accordance with practices where magnetic fields areutilized for therapeutic purposes. As illustrated in FIG. 1 a largeelongated magnet 86 would be located so as to be generally in line withthe seat or more particularly the user sitting in the seat when cycle 18is immersed into vessel 12. A corresponding magnet is preferably locatedon the opposite side wall of vessel 12 in line with magnet 86. Eachmagnet 86 preferably extends substantially the entire length of vesselor tank 12. The utilization of such magnets as an enhancement to theuser is not limited to an aquatic exercise device in the form of a cyclebut may also include any other type of exercise devices some of whichare discussed in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,826. Such other assembliesinclude, but are not limited to treadmills and horizontal type steppers.

In order to assure that the user's feet remain on pedals 24 straps orother restraints may be utilized in the practice of this invention. FIG.3, for example, illustrates in phantom a strap 88 which extends frompedal 24 and would be disposed around the calf of the user for keepingthe user's legs in line with the pedals. The free end of strap 88includes fastening elements such as VELCRO to form a closed loop.Alternatively, endless loops or other restraints could be provided onpedals 24 to engage the user's foot. Pedal 24 could, for example,include a shoe or sock secured to the pedal into which the user wouldinsert the user's foot. Preferably a restraint would be provided foreach leg/foot. Such strap or restraint could be located at otherportions of the cycle 18 such as extending from the frame 20.

If desired, one or preferably both of the handles 40 may be providedwith a restraint to assure that the user's hands will remain on thehandles 40. FIG. 1, for example, illustrates in phantom a glove in theform of a mitten 90 secured to one of the handles 40. Mitten 90 may havea strap 92 having fastening structure such as hook and loops (VELCRO) toassure a firm mounting of the mitten 90 on the user.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, handles 40 include hand gripindentations which would be particularly desirable where the user isable to wrap the fingers around handle 40.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a vest plate 94 to be secured to seat 22 forwrapping around the front of the user. Alternatively, straps or otherrestraints could be secured to seat 22 for assuring that the userremains properly positioned in seat 22.

The invention may be practiced with other variations which would beobvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is also to be understoodthat while the invention has been described with particular reference toan exercise cycle, various features of the invention could be practicedwith other aquatic exercise devices.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aquatic exercise and rehabilitation devicecomprising a vessel for having water therein, a cycle assembly in saidvessel and having an operative position within said vessel, said cycleassembly including a seat mounted to a frame, a pair of pivotedhandlebars mounted to said frame, each of said handlebars terminating ina handle at its upper end, each of said handlebars being disposed forbeing pivotally movable along opposite sides of said seat, a pair ofoppositely mounted spaced rotatable pedals, each of said pedals beingmounted to a pedal shaft, each of said pedals being connected to arespective one of said handlebars by a linkage for transmitting themotion of said handlebars and said pedals to each other wherebyrotational movement of said pedals is transmitted to said handlebars asreciprocal pivotal movement of said handlebars, adjustment structure foradjusting the relative positioning of said seat and said handlebars andsaid pedals with respect to each other, a motor drive assembly connectedto said pedals for causing rotation of said pedals when said motor driveassembly is actuated, said motor drive assembly including a variablespeed hydraulic motor, said motor being mounted to said frame at alocation between said spaced pedals, said motor being connected to bothof said pedal shafts by a single drive connection for jointly rotatinglydriving both of said pedal shafts upon actuation of said motor, liftingand lateral movement structure for selectively lifting said cycleassembly above said vessel and laterally moving said cycle assembly awayfrom said vessel to facilitate a user getting on said cycle assemblywhile said cycle assembly is out of and away from said vessel and forlaterally moving said cycle assembly to a position above said vessel andthen lowering said cycle assembly back into said vessel, said motorbeing mounted directly to said cycle assembly for joint movement withsaid cycle assembly during the lifting and lateral movement and loweringof said cycle assembly, said motor drive assembly including a powersource located externally of said vessel, power transmitting membersconnecting said power source to said motor, said transmitting membersbeing disposed along a path which does not interfere with the verticaland lateral movements of said cycle assembly and a path wherein thevertical and lateral movements of said cycle assembly do not interferewith the transmission of power from said power source to said motor,said motor drive assembly being capable of being operative when saidcycle assembly is in different locations with respect to said vesselincluding in said operative location and including completely out ofsaid vessel, said transmitting members being a pair of hoses leadingfrom said motor to a pump, said pump being said power source, and saidhoses being mounted to said lifting and lateral movement structure. 2.The device of claim 1 including a speed reducer mounted between saidmotor and said pedals.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said hydraulicmotor uses vegetable oil as its fluid.
 4. The device of claim 1including magnets secured to side walls of said vessel.
 5. The device ofclaim 1 including restraints mounted to said cycle assembly for engagingthe legs/feet of a user.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein saidhandlebars are adjustable in length.
 7. The device of claim 6 whereineach of said handles is pivotally mounted to said upper end of saidhandlebar.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein hand restraint structure ismounted to each of said handles.
 9. The device of claim 1 including bodyrestraint structure secured to said seat.
 10. The device of claim 1wherein said motor is a reversible motor having a neutral position. 11.The device of claim 1 wherein said seat is mounted to said frame by aswivel mount.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein said handlebars and saidmotor are horizontally adjustably mounted for movement toward and awayfrom said seat, and said pedals are adjustably mounted toward and awayfrom said seat.
 13. An aquatic exercise and rehabilitation devicecomprising a vessel for having water therein, a cycle assembly in saidvessel, said cycle assembly including a seat, a pair of pivotedhandlebars, each of said handlebars terminating in a handle at its upperend, each of said handlebars being disposed for being pivotally movablealong opposite sides of said seat, a pair of oppositely mountedrotatable pedals, each of said pedals being connected to a respectiveone of said handlebars by a linkage for transmitting the motion of saidhandlebars and said pedals to each other whereby rotational movement ofsaid pedals is transmitted to said handlebars as reciprocal pivotalmovement of said handlebars, a motor drive assembly connected to saidpedals for causing rotation of said pedals when said motor driveassembly is activated, said motor drive assembly including a motor,lifting structure for selectively lifting said cycle assembly out ofsaid vessel to facilitate a user getting on said cycle assembly whilesaid cycle assembly is out of said vessel and for lowering said cycleassembly back into said vessel, said motor being mounted externally ofsaid vessel, said motor including a motor shaft extending through asealed bearing in a wall of said vessel, a drive shaft within saidvessel, said pedals being mounted on a pedal shaft, said drive shaftoperatively connected to said pedal shaft for rotating said pedal shaftand said pedals, and drive connecting structure selectively operativelyconnecting said motor shaft to said drive shaft when said cycle assemblyis lowered into said vessel to an operative position and for operativelydisconnecting said drive shaft from said motor shaft when said cycleassembly is raised above said operative position.
 14. The device ofclaim 13 including restraints mounted to said cycle assembly forengaging the legs/feet of a user.
 15. The device of claim 13 whereinsaid handlebars are adjustable in length.
 16. The device of claim 15wherein each of said handles is pivotally mounted to said upper end ofsaid handlebar.
 17. The device of claim 13 wherein hand restraintstructure is mounted to each of said handles.
 18. The device of claim 13including body restraint structure secured to said seat.
 19. The deviceof claim 13 wherein said motor is a variable speed reversible hydraulicmotor having a neutral position.
 20. The device of claim 13 wherein saidcycle assembly includes a frame, and said seat is mounted to said frameby a swivel mount.
 21. The device of claim 13 wherein said motor shaftextends through a sealed bearing in a wall of said vessel.
 22. Thedevice of claim 21 including a speed reducer between said drive shaftand said pedals.